Involvement of Inflammatory Mediators in the Gastroprotective Action of Phaleria macrocarpa against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer

This research aimed to determine the potential protective effects ofPhaleria macrocarpafruit extracton rat gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol andto clarify the roles of prostaglandinE2 (PGE2), transforming growth factor1 (TGF) and tumor necrosis factorTNF). Main methods: Seven groups of rats were orally pretreated with Tween20 as vehicle control group; Tween20 as ulcer group; 20 mg/kg of omeprazole as reference drug group; and100, 200,500 and 1000 mg/kg of extract as experimental groups. An hour later, ulcer was induced by oral administration of 95% ethanol, except in the vehicle control group.Results showed significant ulcer protective effects through reduction of ulcer area and increase of ulcer inhibition by significant elevation ofgastricpH and increase ofmucus production. In addition, significant increasein levels of inflammatory mediators PGE2 and TGF1 and decrease in TNFwere observed in the groups pretreated with P. macrocarpa compared with ulcer control group. In conclusion,our results suggested that P. macrocarpa pretreatment has protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats by significantly stimulating inflammatory mediators PGE2, TGF1 and reducing TNFwhich effect in the increase production of mucus and stomach pH to provide a protective environment against the offensive factors.